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‘Mormon Land’: Religious scholar explains why the church should stick with the word ‘Mormon’

He says the nickname is bound to live on and, in fact, is needed to distinguish the faith from other religions.

(Image courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) A religious studies professor says he understands why the Utah-based faith is emphasizing its full name but argues abandoning the "Mormon" term isn't the wisest strategy.

As we approach the third anniversary of President Russell M. Nelson’s plea for members, media, academics and all others to start using the full name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and stop using the term “Mormon,” an outside religious scholar is suggesting a, shall we say, different approach. In fact, an opposite approach.

Peter Thuesen, in a recent blog post, says the church should instead lean into the Mormon moniker. Use it. Admire it. Embrace it.

A religious studies professor at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Thuesen explains his reasoning and why the church should reconsider its well-known nickname.

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